Personal and Professional Time Management

Time Management Fundamentals with Dave Crenshaw 1 of 5

Exercise

This exercise will help clear your mind of all your unresolved tasks. While you can complete this activity by yourself, it’s recommended that you work with a partner. This exercise will take approximately one hour to complete.

By Yourself—Read the first trigger item on the list aloud. Think about that trigger. If any unresolved task comes to mind, write it down. If nothing comes to mind, move on to the next trigger, repeating this process until you have completed the exercise.

With a Partner—Have your partner read the first trigger item on the list aloud. Think about that trigger. If any unresolved task comes to mind, write it down. If nothing comes to mind, say “next.” Your partner should move on to the next trigger, repeating this process until you have completed the exercise.

Time Management Fundamentals with Dave Crenshaw

Time Management Fundamentals with Dave Crenshaw 2 of 5

Business Focus: Leadership Company/department values, vision, mission Leadership training Time management Personal systems Personal development Skills to learn or improve Books to read Important read & review Decisions to tell employees Networking Items to disengage from Questions to ask & consider Items to discuss with coach Exit or harvest strategy Business ideas Ideas for expansion

Focus: Personnel Meetings with co-workers Meetings with contractors Organization chart Hiring or firing Managerial training Events or Meetings to plan Employee loyalty projects Commitments/promises to coworkers Getting to know & serving coworkers Coworkers’ evaluations & reviews Waiting for: something from coworkers Position descriptions Responsibilities to delegate Follow-up on delegated items Managerial systems Ideas for organizational change

Focus: Marketing Marketing projects, incomplete or new Documents for marketing or advertising Waiting for: something from marketing Company/office decor Advertising campaigns Web site items Online research Target market analysis Research: competitors Research: market/industry Strategic alliances or partnerships Professional wardrobe or uniforms Marketing systems Marketing message ideas Ideas for advertising campaigns

Focus: Customers/Stakeholders Commitments/promises to customers Customer/Stakeholder loyalty projects Customer/Stakeholder loyalty training Complaints to resolve Best supporters—re-contact Best supporters—gifts & perks Customer/Stakeholder loyalty systems Waiting for: customer reports/feedback Waiting for: something for customers Waiting for: something from customers Ideas for customer/stakeholder loyalty

Time Management Fundamentals with Dave Crenshaw 3 of 5

Focus: Product/Services Fulfilling promises made by marketing Inventory Production equipment Service representative training Outsourced suppliers Meeting with outside sales reps Production systems Ideas for new products Ideas for new services

Focus: Sales Follow-through: prospects Groups or associations to join Presentations Referrals Sales forecasts Sales quantification/tracking/reports Sales training Re-contact old customers Sales systems Waiting for: prospect replies Waiting for: sales reports/feedback Ideas for new sales systems

Focus: Business/Org Finances Meetings with financial professionals Accounting & bookkeeping Invoices & accounts payable Waiting for: accounts receivable Budgets Financial reports (P/L, cash flow, balance) Cash flow management & credit lines Financial analysis/strategic planning Waiting for: financial reports Money security, checks & balances Customer identity security Petty cash Reimbursements & requisitions Financial systems Ideas for money liabilities to lose Ideas for money assets to purchase

Focus: Administration Gathering points Office organization/layout Building maintenance Utilities E-mail Faxes CRM or contact software Other software Computers, monitors, printers Cell phones or office phones Internet & network Computer/IT unification Computer backup Computer security (firewall, virus, etc) Desks, chairs, furniture Filing cabinets, folders, archives Physical inboxes, outboxes Equipment to buy Supplies to buy Travel-related items & tasks Reference documents: personal Reference documents: company Safety & emergency protocols Systems: operations manual Systems: new training documents Ideas for facilities changes

Time Management Fundamentals with Dave Crenshaw 4 of 5

Personal Focus: Self Personal values, vision Personal goals Physical health: exercise Physical health: nutrition Mental health Spiritual health Doctors, dentists, specialists Waiting for: medical data Personal trainers/coaches/mentors Books to read Education Hobbies Talents to develop Stress management Commitments/promises to self Meditation Ideas for recreation Dreams

Focus: Family Commitments/promises to family Couple values, vision, goals etc. Important discussions: couple Important discussions: children Recurring dates/recreation with spouse Recurring recreation with children Family events & recreation Family projects Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays Weddings, graduation, significant events Waiting for: something from family members Family meetings, planning, discussion Ideas for family recreation

Focus: Personal Finances Financial vision, goals Budget & cash flow Bills to pay Credit cards Utilities Tax-related items Allowances Banks & other financial institutions Mortgages & repayment plans Loans & repayment plans Accountant, lawyer, financial planner Real estate Landlord Investments Estate & retirement planning Waiting for: rebates Waiting for: financial information Financial dreams Pets Clothes Errands Ideas for home improvement

Time Management Fundamentals with Dave Crenshaw 5 of 5

Focus: Friends & Community Focus: Friends & Community Commitments/promises to friends People to get to know Community groups, clubs, to join Social events RSVPs (waiting for or to send) Sporting events Community events Community service projects Waiting for: community info School/Institution events Church/Spiritual service Legal, crime, security issues Emergency preparedness Homeowners association items Waiting for: items lent Borrowed items to return Items to disengage from Ideas for community service

Focus: Home Filing & reference plan Gathering points Areas to organize, clean Builders & contractors Heating & air-conditioning Plumbing: fixtures, toilets, shower Electricity, light bulbs, wiring Roofing Landscape & driveway Garage & storage Walls, floors, ceilings Décor, furniture, accessories Kitchen appliances Closets Computers, printer, monitor Software E-mail Computer backup Internet & home network TV, cable, satellite DVDs, CDs, digital media Cameras, film, digital pictures Phones & voicemail Sports equipment Vehicle repair: external & internal Vehicle maintenance: major & minor Tools Luggage Pets Clothes Errands Ideas for home improvement